Spikes fined $25,000 for hit on QB

Fri, 11/16/2012 - 5:36pm — Mike Petraglia

FOXBORO -- It was a hit that separated Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick from his helmet and earned him a 15-yard roughing the passer penalty. Now, the NFL has fined Patriots linebacker Brandon Spikes $25,000 for his tackle in the fourth quarter.

On second-and-4 at the Buffalo 47 early in the fourth quarter, Fitzpatrick dropped back and threw incomplete to Scott Chandler. Spikes hit Fitzpatrick in the chest and the force from the top of his helmet came up and connected with the bottom of Fitzpatrick's facemask, forcing the helmet off. Spikes was nailed with a 15-yard penalty.

Fitzpatrick got up and had words for Spikes. Later in the quarter, Spikes drilled Fred Jackson with a hit after a short pass completion. Jackson fumbled and was knocked to the ground and remained there for several minutes after fumbling the ball, recovered by the Bills. Jackson did not return to the game. Spikes was not fined for that hit, nor was there a penalty called on the play. But several Bills took offense with what they said was Spikes flexing his muscles immediately afterward while Jackson was on the ground.

Jerod Mayo was also fined $10,000 for his hit out of bounds on C.J. Spiller in the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, Patriots rookie cornerback Alfonzo Dennard was docked $7,900 for diving at Fitzpatrick as the quarterback was scrambling out of bounds late in the second quarter. Dennard, who just grazed Fitzpatrick on the play, was penalized 15 yards for unnecessary roughness.